Internationalization strategies and dynamic capabilities of platform companies - A case study of the game industry

Abstract

In recent year, some scholars develop a new construct that they term “international digital competence” (IDC). A case study approach was used to analyze secondary data through the lens of internationalization strategies, dynamic capabilities, and platform management strategies. Four game platform companies were studied: Tencent Games, NetEase Games, Gamania, and WanIn International. The findings reveal that with abundant financial support and excellent talent teams, these companies leverage commercial development and strategic planning as dynamic capabilities, and adopt the strategy of mergers and acquisitions, or strategic alliances to enter the international market. Moreover, through novel commodity management thinking and cross-domain integration means, game platform companies leverage commodity IP operation and brand promotion as dynamic capabilities, and utilize existing IPs of major international game producers or develop their own exclusive IPs to promote their products in international markets.